Method of manufacturing a non-linear composite tube
AssigneeAP Parts Manufacturing Company
InventorTerrance C. Marlinga
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite tube and method of manufacture are provided. The composite tube is formed from a plurality of tube segments which are different from one another. The tube segments may differ in cross-sectional dimensions and/or material of manufacture. The tube segments are welded in end-to-end relationship to define a composite tube. The composite tube is then bent into a selected non-linear shape. Preferably, the welds are disposed at locations on tangents between adjacent bends. Bending forces and bending speed are altered from one bend to the next in view of anticipated strength and metallurgical characteristics of the particular tube segment in which the bend is being carried out.
Claims12
A method for manufacturing an elongate non-linear composite tube, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing at least first and second elongate tube segments, said first tube segment having bend resistance different from said second tube segment;
- welding said first and second tube segments in substantially end-to-end relationship to define a linear composite tube;
- placing said linear composite tube in a bending apparatus;
- placing a first bend of a preselected magnitude at a preselected location in a portion of said composite tube defined by said first tube segment by exerting preselected forces on regions of said tube and moving said tube at preselected speeds, said forces and said speeds for placing said first bend being selected in accordance with said bend resistance characteristics in said first tube segment;
- and
- placing a second bend of a preselected magnitude at a preselected location in a portion of said composite tube defined by said second tube segment by exerting preselected forces on regions of said tube and moving said tube at preselected speeds, said forces and said speeds for placing said second bend being selected in accordance with said bend resistance characteristics in said second tube segment and being different from said forces and said speeds for placing said first bend in said composite tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.